“When leaning into the Spirit, it is not process of mere hearing and then being okay. It is always the work of receiving.” Amber Haines, A Wild in the Hollow
Rarely, a book comes along captivating you with exquisite imagery. In poetic tones, Amber Haine’s Wild in the Hollow, raptures the creative brain and compels it to fall in love with words, writing, and telling a story with richness.
Whether you’ve followed her on her blog or not, every reader of Wild in the Hollow enters through the front doors of her life with intimate conversation. Within the pages, are her authentic and private struggles. With her husband, Seth, who was once on staff at a megachurch, Amber’s family stumbles outside a faith community as they reel from the aftermath of leaving the megachurch. In her disillusioned state, she wrestles demons (and desires) amidst the ensuing and sometimes secretive personal family tribulations.
In time they find a small intimate faith community which helped her too simply see Jesus. But only with time and God, would her spiritual journey come full circle to what it is today.
My own hardships, though different from Amber’s, were interwoven in similar fashion in finding my own “broken way home.” As a reader of her blog, I also found the answers to her mysterious and crypted blog posts from the last year and a half. And I was not disappointed in those answers either. I related to her complex questions about the church and the twisted trek to restoring faith in all parts of the Bride. Yet in her stories, as in mine, she reveals the complicated turns it takes to return.
For readers, Amber’s vivid storytelling can make initial reading go at a slower pace because your senses are inundated with her descriptive word choices. But once you get past the first or second chapter, you become acclimated (in a good way). And if you’re a writer of any kind, you’ll also find yourself wanting to edit every piece you’ve ever written to add such fine details to your own story.
But it’s quotes like below, that made me melt in such familiarity, I felt as close as kin like one who finishes each other’s sentences.
“Even though I was terrified of being associated with charismatics and had no idea what I was doing, I asked for every gift of the Spirit….I winced when I asked for it. It was if I said, ‘Give me eyes to see,’ while also laughing and saying, ‘but only just a little.'”
Amber Haines, A Wild in the Hollow
All in all, Amber held my interest, up to the last. Her writing made me swoon in delight. The sheer power of words is amazing. I was again enthralled by the volume of emotion held in each vivid line. Add to that a redeeming story of hardships and discovery, Wild in the Hollow’s storytelling not only inspired me as a writer, it encouraged me in my own story as a reader.
_________________________________________________
And now’s your chance to win a free copy. I’m making it super easy for you: either leave a comment here on the blog OR on my Facebook status OR share this blog post on Twitter (make sure you tag me so I see it).
I’ll announce the winner next week.
September 22, 2015
Thanks for the recommendation of Amber’s book. I found my way here via Monica. 🙂
September 22, 2015
Thank you! You’re officially entered in the contest to win a copy.
September 22, 2015
Would love to read this book. Thanks for the opportunity.
September 23, 2015
I’d love for you to read it too!
September 23, 2015
Thank you, Julie!
September 22, 2015
I would love the opportunity to win your free book! I have never read your work and would love to be the recipient of such a wonderful gift! Thank you for the opportunity!
October 1, 2015
Melissa Flounders, you have one a copy for Wild in the Hallow! Congrats!
September 22, 2015
What an awesome blog you have! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this book!
September 23, 2015
Thank you for stopping by, Sara!
September 22, 2015
Interesting review! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy. Sharing our faith stories aids us all in our walk with God through life.
September 23, 2015
The quotes on your blog post intrigue me to read this book! It sounds like a thought provoking, and profoundly deep book! Hope to win! Thanks for this post!
September 23, 2015
Sophia, thank YOU!
September 23, 2015
I’d like to win the book, but if not, i’ll get it myself. looks like a great read!
September 24, 2015
I would love to read this book! Sounds great!
September 24, 2015
Oh, Tammy…I’ve been wanting to read this book. I’d love to win it, but if I don’t, then I’ll just have to buy it!! 🙂